Valesca Machado scored a highlight-reel finish and claimed strawweight gold in her headlining fight at Urijah Faber’s A-1 Combat 18.
“Tina Black” first established herself as a violent knockout artist in her native Brazil before she came up short against Piera Rodriguez in a Dana White’s Contender Series fight in 2021.
The 28-year-old went on to find considerable success in top women’s promotion Invicta FC until she lost her strawweight title to Danni McCormack last year, but following a pair of canceled bouts, the Brazilian returned at A-1 Combat 18 and brutally knocked out Taylor Mauldin in the night’s main event.
OUT........ COLD!!!!!
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 23, 2024
TINA BLACK IS YOUR NEW CHAMPION!!#A1Combat18 pic.twitter.com/jdl2CqJN0L
Already well-known for her dangerous striking, “Tina Black” pressured her opponent right from the opening bell and landed some huge punches before a thunderous right hand ended things in less than a minute.
The victory was Machado’s first knockout since she stopped four-straight opponents to get her Contender Series opportunity, and she also handed Mauldin her first loss after “Machine Gun” began her professional MMA career with four wins.
The newly-crowned A-1 Combat strawweight champion was likely still on the UFC’s radar following her success in Invicta FC and previous Contender Series fight, and after a highlight-reel knockout like that it would be no surprise to see Machado competing in the Octagon at some point soon.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!